Saddle passes and Friesian Horses

The unique build of the Frisian horse

The build of the Friesian horse is characterized by the following points. These all influence the position of the saddle and therefore the knowledge that a saddle fitter should have.

1. Vertical Neck Shape
2. Little bastard
3. Broad withers
4. Sunken Back
5. Ribbed
6. Built Down
7. Elevated Gaits
8. Slow hind leg
9. A lot of movement in the back/lumbar connection
10. Broad shoulders

The combination of these factors makes saddle fitting a Friesian horse not easy.

Why standard saddle fit criteria are not always sufficient

Even if the saddle fits well according to standard saddle fitting criteria, this does not always mean that it is good for the horse. One must realize that this is a grey area, where a feel for horses and knowledge of biomechanics play a greater role than with, for example, a warmblood horse. Particularly in the Friesian breed, multiple structural characteristics come together, each influencing the fit and stability of the saddle in its own way.

Broad withers and downward body direction

Take, for example, the combination of a broad wither and a downward body direction. On the one hand, you want to use a wide tree to keep the wither and the surrounding musculature free. On the other hand, you do not want to place the saddle too far around the wither, as this increases the risk of excessive pressure behind the shoulders due to the downward body direction. Finding the right balance requires experience and insight into the individual horse's build.

Elevated gaits and a round-ribbed body

Or the combination of elevated gaits with a round-ribbed horse where the back is somewhat sunken. A horse with elevated gaits exhibits a lot of movement. On a round-ribbed horse, the saddle has less stability, giving it more opportunity to slide from left to right. When the horse is also slightly sunken in the back, the movement in the back is more accentuated. This does not benefit the stability of the saddle.

The role of the hind leg and the back movement

Due to the naturally less active hind leg, a Friesian horse has more movement in the back and loins. Often, the pelvis is tilted in the wrong direction, pressing the loins and back downwards. As a result, the saddle loses contact with the back the moment the horse starts moving. This is a common problem in Friesian horses that is not always immediately recognizable to a less experienced saddle fitter.

The vertical neck and the rider's sitting position

In most cases, the vertical neck of the Friesian horse does not help improve the points mentioned above. Due to the elevated gaits and this neck position, the rider is quickly pushed back in the saddle—precisely where we, as saddle fitters, do not want the rider to be. A correct sitting position is essential for good pressure distribution over the horse's back, and the saddle plays a decisive role in this.

Squeezing Shoulder Pressure

The broad shoulder area combined with a downward torso direction means that saddles tend to pinch at the shoulder. Because the girth area of ​​the Friesian horse is often positioned further forward relative to the end of the shoulder, this girth area exerts extra forward pressure, increasing the pressure against the shoulder. Shoulder freedom is therefore an important point of attention for Friesian horses. If the shoulder has insufficient room to move freely, this can restrict the horse's gait and, in the long term, even lead to muscle loss (atrophy) around the shoulder blade.

Why Fryso and Tweespan are specialists in the Frisian horse

For over 30 years, we have been developing and fitting saddles for Friesian horses. Fryso® saddles have been specially developed based on daily practice with Friesian horses and are handcrafted in England. The wooden sprung tree, the extra-wide panels filled with 100% natural wool, and the U-shaped pommel have been deliberately chosen to optimally match the build of the Friesian horse. Additionally, the design of the tree branches and the sweat flap ensures maximum shoulder freedom.

Our saddle fitters are all MSFC or Saddle Professional qualified and come from the dressage and harness sport with Friesian horses themselves. They combine formal training with years of practical experience. We are affiliated with the VZTD (trade association for saddle and harness experts) and attend annual refresher courses to keep our knowledge up to date. As the main sponsor of the KFPS (the Friesian Horse Studbook), we are at the heart of the world of the Friesian horse.

The right saddle for both rider and horse

The right saddle must always be a balance between the rider/amazon and the (Friesian) horse. In this process, the horse's well-being always comes first. We do not only fit with complete saddles — not with separate trees — but assess the fit both at a standstill and in motion. Only in this way can horse and rider benefit optimally from a well-fitting saddle.

For sound advice, contact a saddle fitter who also has sufficient experience with Friesian horses. Naturally, you can expect our Fryso saddle fitters to possess this knowledge; after all, it is our specialty. You can come to us for fitting a new saddle, purchasing a second-hand saddle, or a check of your current saddle.